Social, environmental, and economic barriers are interconnected, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) are key to bringing together the knowledge, expertise, resources, and networks needed to tackle global challenges.

In this editorial series we’ll explore the role of business in supporting access to education and opportunities, and consider the best way to prepare a generation of leaders who understand the importance of sustainable development.

So, your company wants to reduce its landfill waste. Now what? As sustainability reaches top of mind for investors and customers, more companies are beginning to tackle waste in their supply chains in order to boost their green cred.

Integrated reporting and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are gaining momentum. Join our half-day morning workshop, led by BrownFlynn, to explore the changing landscape for corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners. [REGISTER HERE]

The largest annual gathering of EHS and Sustainability managers, directors and vice presidents. Celebrating its 25th year, NAEM's annual conference is dedicated to best practice-sharing for those developing and integrating strategic environmental, health, safety and sustainability programs within their companies. [REGISTER HERE]

The 10th anniversary Social Capital Markets conference, will convene leading impact investors, world-class entrepreneurs, and innovative cross-sector practitioners for three full days of networking and engaging content at the intersection of money and meaning. 3p Discount Code: "MP_TriplePundit" [REGISTER HERE]

An event series whose mission it is to bring together companies from around the world to discuss climate change and how they can work together to address it most impactfully. Now building sponsorship and registration. [INFO HERE]

For NI17 we’re creating an experience unlike any conference you’ve been to before. We’ll help you map out your Path to Purpose to turn your passion into a purposeful career by gaining tangible skills and actionable insights. [INFO HERE]

In this interview, Susan Preston of California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) updates us on the latest energy ventures. CalCEF is a private venture capital fund that invests in seed stage clean energy companies. They invest in a diverse range of energy related companies from energy efficiency, renewable energy, to smart grid.

The fund portfolio includes a company producing energy efficient lighting, a company developing enzymes to help break down corn stock, grass and woody biomass cellulose to create fuel, a thin film solar company, and a thermoelectric company who is capturing power from waste heat using silicon wires.

Many technologies come through Preston’s office. However, she identifies gaps in the battery and fuel cell areas, and creative financing models to help deploy new energy sources. Payback period for energy projects have reduced from over two years to one year or less today. And creative financing models are always in high demand when it comes to renewable energy. Have a fundable clean energy project? Compete in the Clean Tech Open then seek out Susan Preston.

Connie Kwan is a Product Manager and Entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley, CA. She builds teams to deliver products that benefit people, planet and profit. She holds an MBA in Sustainability at Presidio Graduate School and blogs about sustainability and business at Sustainable Thinking: Applied (http://blog.conniekwan.com)